Improvement in combined napkin ring and support



A. G. WINN. Combined Napkin Ring and Support.

No. 219,889. Patented Sept. 23,1879.

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N.FETERs.-Pnero-LlTHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AMMI O. WIN N, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO EDWARD A. G.

- ROULSTONE, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN COMBINED NAPKIN RING AND SUPPORT.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 219,889, dated September 23, 1879; application filed March 28, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AMMI G. WINN, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful'Improvements in Combined Napkin Bin g and Support, of which the following is a specification.

The purpose of my invention is to combine in one object a napkin-ring and clasp for supporting a napkin upon the wearers breast while at table, the device being convertible from one to the other as occasion requires, and being provided with a catch to seize and hold the napkin when in use.

The drawings accompanying this specification represent, in Figure l, a perspective view, and Fig. 2 a section, of a device embodying my invention in a closed state. Fig. 3 is a view of the device in an open state.

In these drawings, A B represent two fiat bands of sheet metal of a width of about onehalf inch, and of a length to form unitedly a ring of the size of napkin-rings in general.

The bands A and B are practically of about equal length, and are each bent into segments of a halfcircle, so that when confined together at their ends they shall constitute together a ring suitable to hold a napkin when the latter is not in use.

Upon one end of one bandsay AI form ears to a, &c., which overlap and retain the adjacent end of the band B, the two bands being lapped at one end a short distance, as shown at b, the said ears a a serving as guides to permit the two bands to slide upon one another and convert the continuous ring into a semi-ann ular or crescent-shaped clasp, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The opposite or free ends of the bands are formed with a suitable catch, 0, or look to enable them to be confined together while the device is used as a ring, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings.

Furthermore, to theinside of one of the bands (the inner band in the present instance) 1 confine at one end a spring-catch, d, the free end of this catch bearing upon the band, and the stress of the catch being sufficient to gripe the napkin with considerable power when inserted between it and the band.

When the device is to be used for the purpose of suspending a napkin over or about the wearers breast, the catch 0 is. released, the two bands slid upon one another, and the ring opened into the form shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. One end of the napkin is now inserted between the catch at and the band to which it is secured, and the free end of the opposite band passed over the wearers shirtcollar, thus suspending the napkin over his breast and protecting his shirt-bosom and vest while at the table.

As the draft upon the napkin is not a direct or straight pull upon the catch 0, but partially about the adjacent end of the band carrying such catch, the latter gripes the napkin with more power than is simply due to its elasticity.

When the napkin is not in use the two bands are closed and fastened, and constitute a napkin-ring in the ordinary sense of the word.

I claim 1. A device constituting in itself a napkin ring and support, consisting of two curved bands adapted to slide longitudinally one upon the other, and provided with guides for preserving their continuity when closed, and for permitting them to be moved upon one another when the continuity of the ring is to be broken and it is to be converted into aclasp, substantially as stated.

2. In a device for the purposes stated, composed of two curved bands united and arranged to slide longitudinally on one another, as explained, the combination, with one of such bands, of a catch for seizing hold of a napkin and suspending the latter from the wearers throat.

3. The device herein described, consisting of the bands A B, lock 0, ears 0, a, &c., and catch 11, operating substantially as explained.

AMMI 0. WIN.

Witnesses:

F. GURTIs, L. A. GURrIs. 

